Apparatus and method for managing media content for mobile devices

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example to access a broadcast of media content in response to a request to record the media content from a mobile communication device, and adjust a format of the media content based at least in part on a user profile associated with the mobile communication device where the user profile comprises device format preferences. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/529,295, filed Oct. 31, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,591,338, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/277,055, filed Nov. 24, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.8,904,459, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for managing media contentdelivery for mobile devices.

BACKGROUND

Networks are continuously expanding their abilities to distribute mediacontent to users, as well as their capabilities for presentation of themedia content. Users often have multiple devices for presenting themedia content, which can include fixed devices and mobile devices. Thesedevices can have a wide variety of adjustable features for improving theviewing experience of the users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withat least one among the communication systems of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides media services;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1-3 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a computer-readablestorage medium. The storage medium can include computer instructions foraccessing a user profile associated with a wireless communication devicewhere the wireless communication device is a mobile device and where theuser profile comprises user preferences provided by a user of the mobiledevice, receiving a request for recording media content from thewireless communication device, accessing a broadcast of the mediacontent and recording the media content, adjusting a format of the mediacontent based at least in part on the user profile where the formatadjustment comprises providing a plurality of versions of the mediacontent and where a first version has more error correction data than asecond version, and storing the adjusted media content for playback bythe wireless communication device.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a server havinga controller to access a broadcast of media content in response to arequest to record the media content from a mobile communication device,and adjust a format of the media content based at least in part on auser profile associated with the mobile communication device where theuser profile comprises device format preferences.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a mobilecommunication device having a controller and a display device. Thecontroller can be adapted to wirelessly transmit to a server a requestfor recording media content, wirelessly transmit to the server aplayback request associated with the media content, wirelessly receiveadjusted media content where the adjusted media content has a formatadjusted based on a user profile associated with the mobilecommunication device where the user profile comprises formatpreferences, and present the adjusted media content on the displaydevice.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a set topbox having a controller to wirelessly receive adjusted media contentfrom a mobile communication device where the adjusted media content isrecorded based on a request from the mobile communication device and hasa format adjusted based on a user profile associated with the set topbox where the user profile comprises format preferences, and present theadjusted media content on a display device.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a methodincluding accessing media content in response to a request to record themedia content from a mobile communication device and adjusting a formatof the media content based at least in part on a user profile associatedwith the mobile communication device.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. In a typical IPTV infrastructure, there is a super head-endoffice (SHO) with at least one super headend office server (SHS) whichreceives national media programs from satellite and/or media serversfrom service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. In the presentcontext, media programs can represent audio content, moving imagecontent such as videos, still image content, and/or combinationsthereof. The SHS server forwards IP packets associated with the mediacontent to video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of aggregationpoints such as video head-end offices (VHO) according to a commonmulticast communication method.

The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing a gateway104 (such as a residential gateway or RG). The access network canrepresent a bank of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs)located in a central office or a service area interface that providebroadband services over optical links or copper twisted pairs tobuildings 102. The gateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast selections to media devices 108 such as computers ortelevision sets managed in some instances by a media controller 107(such as an infrared or RF remote control). Unicast traffic can also beexchanged between the media processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTVmedia system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD). It will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the media devices108 and/or portable communication devices 116 shown in FIG. 1 can be anintegral part of the media processor 106 and can be communicativelycoupled to the gateway 104. In this particular embodiment, an integraldevice such as described can receive, respond, process and presentmulticast or unicast media content.

The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices130 a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing portalservices over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to fixedline media devices 108 or portable communication devices 116 by way of awireless access point 117 providing Wireless Fidelity or WiFi services,or cellular communication services (such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX,etc.). In one embodiment, the computing devices 130 can be part of orcan constitute a mobile device content management system. The system 130can provide for recording of media content by the mobile device and/ordelivery of the recorded content to the mobile device. The system 130can adjust a format of the content prior to delivery to the mobiledevice to facilitate presentation of the content by the mobile device.For instance, the system 130 can consult user information, includinguser profiles, monitored behavior and/or inputted user preferences, andcan adjust the format of the content based on the user information,including transcoding or re-formatting the data. In one embodiment, thesystem 130 can select a video profile of the media content from aplurality of video profiles included in an Enhanced Vestigial SidebandModulation (E-VSB) data stream.

A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115can be intercepted by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to building102 which conveys media signals to the media processors 106. The mediareceivers 106 can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network132. Although not shown, the communication system 100 can also becombined or replaced with analog or digital broadcast distributionssystems such as cable TV systems.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a second communicationsystem 200 for delivering media content. Communication system 200 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication system 100 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of said communication system. The system 200includes a distribution switch/router system 228 at a central office218. The distribution switch/router system 228 receives video data via amulticast television stream 230 from a second distribution switch/router234 at an intermediate office 220. The multicast television stream 230includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets addressed to a multicast IPaddress associated with a television channel. The distributionswitch/router system 228 can cache data associated with each televisionchannel received from the intermediate office 220.

The distribution switch/router system 228 also receives unicast datatraffic from the intermediate office 220 via a unicast traffic stream232. The unicast traffic stream 232 includes data packets related todevices located at a particular residence, such as the residence 202.For example, the unicast traffic stream 232 can include data trafficrelated to a digital subscriber line, a telephone line, another dataconnection, or any combination thereof. To illustrate, the unicasttraffic stream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a telephone212 associated with a subscriber at the residence 202. The telephone 212can be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. To furtherillustrate, the unicast traffic stream 232 can communicate data packetsto and from a personal computer 210 at the residence 202 via one or moredata routers 208. In an additional illustration, the unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a set-top boxdevice, such as the set-top box devices 204, 206. The unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from the devices locatedat the residence 202 via one or more residential gateways 214 associatedwith the residence 202.

The distribution switch/router system 228 can send data to one or moreaccess switch/router systems 226. The access switch/router system 226can include or be included within a service area interface 216. In aparticular embodiment, the access switch/router system 226 can include aDSLAM. The access switch/router system 226 can receive data from thedistribution switch/router system 228 via a broadcast television (BTV)stream 222 and a plurality of unicast subscriber traffic streams 224.The BTV stream 222 can be used to communicate video data packetsassociated with a multicast stream.

For example, the BTV stream 222 can include a multicast virtual localarea network (VLAN) connection between the distribution switch/routersystem 228 and the access switch/router system 226. Each of theplurality of subscriber traffic streams 224 can be used to communicatesubscriber specific data packets. For example, the first subscribertraffic stream can communicate data related to a first subscriber, andthe nth subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to an nthsubscriber. Each subscriber to the system 200 can be associated with arespective subscriber traffic stream 224. The subscriber traffic stream224 can include a subscriber VLAN connection between the distributionswitch/router system 228 and the access switch/router system 226 that isassociated with a particular set-top box device 204, 206, a particularresidence 202, a particular residential gateway 214, another deviceassociated with a subscriber, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, a set-top box device, such as the set-topbox device 204, receives a channel change command from an input device,such as a remoter control device. The channel change command canindicate selection of an IPTV channel. After receiving the channelchange command, the set-top box device 204 generates channel selectiondata that indicates the selection of the IPTV channel. The set-top boxdevice 204 can send the channel selection data to the accessswitch/router system 226 via the residential gateway 214. The channelselection data can include an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)Join request. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/routersystem 226 can identify whether it is joined to a multicast groupassociated with the requested channel based on information in the IGMPJoin request.

If the access switch/router system 226 is not joined to the multicastgroup associated with the requested channel, the access switch/routersystem 226 can generate a multicast stream request. The multicast streamrequest can be generated by modifying the received channel selectiondata. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system 226can modify an IGMP Join request to produce a proxy IGMP Join request.The access switch/router system 226 can send the multicast streamrequest to the distribution switch/router system 228 via the BTV stream222. In response to receiving the multicast stream request, thedistribution switch/router system 228 can send a stream associated withthe requested channel to the access switch/router system 226 via the BTVstream 222.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a third communicationsystem 300 for delivering media content. Communication system 300 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication systems 100-200 asanother representative embodiment of said communication systems. Asshown, the system 300 can include a client facing tier 302, anapplication tier 304, an acquisition tier 306, and an operations andmanagement tier 308. Each tier 302, 304, 306, 308 is coupled to aprivate network 310, such as a network of common packet-switched routersand/or switches; to a public network 312, such as the Internet; or toboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. For example,the client-facing tier 302 can be coupled to the private network 310.Further, the application tier 304 can be coupled to the private network310 and to the public network 312. The acquisition tier 306 can also becoupled to the private network 310 and to the public network 312.Additionally, the operations and management tier 308 can be coupled tothe public network 312.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the various tiers 302, 304, 306, 308communicate with each other via the private network 310 and the publicnetwork 312. For instance, the client-facing tier 302 can communicatewith the application tier 304 and the acquisition tier 306 via theprivate network 310. The application tier 304 can communicate with theacquisition tier 306 via the private network 310. Further, theapplication tier 304 can communicate with the acquisition tier 306 andthe operations and management tier 308 via the public network 312.Moreover, the acquisition tier 306 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 304, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 350, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 302.

The client-facing tier 302 can communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 366, such as an IPTV access network. In an illustrativeembodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE) 314, 322 can be coupled toa local switch, router, or other device of the access network 366. Theclient-facing tier 302 can communicate with a first representativeset-top box device 316 via the first CPE 314 and with a secondrepresentative set-top box device 324 via the second CPE 322. In aparticular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device 316and the first CPE 314 can be located at a first customer premise, andthe second representative set-top box device 324 and the second CPE 322can be located at a second customer premise.

In another particular embodiment, the first representative set-top boxdevice 316 and the second representative set-top box device 324 can belocated at a single customer premise, both coupled to one of the CPE314, 322. The CPE 314, 322 can include routers, local area networkdevices, and modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, anyother suitable devices for facilitating communication between a set-topbox device and the access network 366, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can be coupledto the CPE 314, 322 via fiber optic cables. In another illustrativeembodiment, the CPE 314, 322 can include DSL modems that are coupled toone or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier302 can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Eachset-top box device 316, 324 can process data received via the accessnetwork 366, via a common IPTV software platform.

The first set-top box device 316 can be coupled to a first externaldisplay device, such as a first television monitor 318, and the secondset-top box device 324 can be coupled to a second external displaydevice, such as a second television monitor 326. Moreover, the firstset-top box device 316 can communicate with a first remote control 320,and the second set-top box device 324 can communicate with a secondremote control 328. The set-top box devices 316, 324 can include IPTVset-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adaptedto receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devicesthat are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; anyother device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to anIPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device316, 324 can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 302 via the access network 366 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 318,326 to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-topbox devices 316, 324 can include tuners that receive and decodetelevision programming signals or packet streams for transmission to thedisplay devices 318, 326. Further, the set-top box devices 316, 324 caneach include a STB processor 370 and a STB memory device 372 that isaccessible to the STB processor 370. In one embodiment, a computerprogram, such as the STB computer program 374, can be embedded withinthe STB memory device 372.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 330 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 302 and the access network 366 and between theclient-facing tier 302 and the private network 310. As illustrated, theCFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more distribution servers, such asDistribution-servers (D-servers) 332, that store, format, encode,replicate, or otherwise manipulate or prepare video content forcommunication from the client-facing tier 302 to the set-top box devices316, 324. The CFT switch 330 can also be coupled to a terminal server334 that provides terminal devices with a point of connection to theIPTV system 300 via the client-facing tier 302.

In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330 can be coupled to a VoDserver 336 that stores or provides VoD content imported by the IPTVsystem 300. Further, the CFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more videoservers 380 that receive video content and transmit the content to theset-top boxes 316, 324 via the access network 366. The client-facingtier 302 may include a CPE management server 382 that managescommunications to and from the CPE 314 and the CPE 322. For example, theCPE management server 382 may collect performance data associated withthe set-top box devices 316, 324 from the CPE 314 or the CPE 322 andforward the collected performance data to a server associated with theoperations and management tier 308.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 cancommunicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as therepresentative set-top boxes 316, 324, over a wide geographic area, suchas a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a statewide area, a regionalarea, a nationwide area or any other suitable geographic area, marketarea, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported bynetworking the client-facing tier 302 to numerous set-top box devices.In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330, or any portion thereof,can include a multicast router or switch that communicates with multipleset-top box devices via a multicast-enabled network.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the application tier 304 can communicate withboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. The applicationtier 304 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 338 and asecond APP switch 340. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch338 can be coupled to the second APP switch 340. The first APP switch338 can be coupled to an application server 342 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 344. In a particular embodiment, the application server 342 canprovide applications to the set-top box devices 316, 324 via the accessnetwork 366, which enable the set-top box devices 316, 324 to providefunctions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display,messaging, processing of VoD material and other IPTV content, etc. In anillustrative embodiment, the application server 342 can provide locationinformation to the set-top box devices 316, 324. In a particularembodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 includes operation systems andsupport (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data.In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can provide or restrictaccess to an OSS/BSS server 364 that stores operations and billingsystems data.

The second APP switch 340 can be coupled to a domain controller 346 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers 368via the public network 312. For example, the domain controller 346 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 312. In addition, the second APP switch 340 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store 348 that includes account information, suchas account information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 300 via the private network 310 or the public network 312. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store 348 can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers,other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-topbox devices 316, 324. In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriberand system store can store data associated with capabilities of set-topbox devices associated with particular customers.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 304 can include aclient gateway 350 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 302. In this embodiment, the client gateway 350 can be coupleddirectly to the CFT switch 330. The client gateway 350 can provide useraccess to the private network 310 and the tiers coupled thereto. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices 316, 324 can access theIPTV system 300 via the access network 366, using information receivedfrom the client gateway 350. User devices can access the client gateway350 via the access network 366, and the client gateway 350 can allowsuch devices to access the private network 310 once the devices areauthenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 350 can preventunauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top boxdevices from accessing the private network 310, by denying access tothese devices beyond the access network 366.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 316accesses the client-facing tier 302 via the access network 366, theclient gateway 350 can verify subscriber information by communicatingwith the subscriber and system store 348 via the private network 310.Further, the client gateway 350 can verify billing information andstatus by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 344 via the privatenetwork 310. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can transmit aquery via the public network 312 to the OSS/BSS server 364. After theclient gateway 350 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 350 can allow the set-top box device 316 to access IPTVcontent and VoD content at the client-facing tier 302. If the clientgateway 350 cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top boxdevice 316, because it is connected to an unauthorized twisted pair, theclient gateway 350 can block transmissions to and from the set-top boxdevice 316 beyond the access network 366.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the acquisition tier 306 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 352 that communicates with the private network 310.The AQT switch 352 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to one or more liveAcquisition-servers (A-servers) 354 that receive or acquire televisioncontent, movie content, advertisement content, other video content, orany combination thereof, from a broadcast service 356, such as asatellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. In aparticular embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 can transmitcontent to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352 can transmit thecontent to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 332, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 380 to the set-top box devices 316, 324. The CFT switch 330can receive content from the video server(s) 380 and communicate thecontent to the CPE 314, 322 via the access network 366. The set-top boxdevices 316, 324 can receive the content via the CPE 314, 322, and cantransmit the content to the television monitors 318, 326. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

Further, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 358 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 306 and communicates the stored content to theVoD server 336 at the client-facing tier 302 via the private network310. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 306, the VoD importer server358 can receive content from one or more VoD sources outside the IPTVsystem 300, such as movie studios and programmers of non-live content.The VoD importer server 358 can transmit the VoD content to the AQTswitch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn, can communicate thematerial to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310. The VoDcontent can be stored at one or more servers, such as the VoD server336.

When users issue requests for VoD content via the set-top box devices316, 324, the requests can be transmitted over the access network 366 tothe VoD server 336, via the CFT switch 330. Upon receiving suchrequests, the VoD server 336 can retrieve the requested VoD content andtransmit the content to the set-top box devices 316, 324 across theaccess network 366, via the CFT switch 330. The set-top box devices 316,324 can transmit the VoD content to the television monitors 318, 326. Inan illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VoD content canbe streamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

FIG. 3 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 308can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 360 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 308and the public network 312. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3, theOMT switch 360 is coupled to a TV2 server 362. Additionally, the OMTswitch 360 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 364 and to a simplenetwork management protocol monitor 386 that monitors network deviceswithin or coupled to the IPTV system 300. In a particular embodiment,the OMT switch 360 can communicate with the AQT switch 352 via thepublic network 312.

The OSS/BSS server 364 may include a cluster of servers, such as one ormore CPE data collection servers that are adapted to request and storeoperations systems data, such as performance data from the set-top boxdevices 316, 324. In an illustrative embodiment, the CPE data collectionservers may be adapted to analyze performance data to identify acondition of a physical component of a network path associated with aset-top box device, to predict a condition of a physical component of anetwork path associated with a set-top box device, or any combinationthereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 360 via the public network312. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 360 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 362 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 362. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 362using a personal computer 368 coupled to the public network 312.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from theforegoing media communication system embodiments that other suitablemedia communication systems for distributing broadcast media content aswell as peer-to-peer exchange of content can be applied to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 430. The portal430 can be used for managing services of communication systems 100-300.The portal 430 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) witha common Internet browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer using anInternet-capable communication device such as references 108, 116, or210 of FIGS. 1-2. The portal 430 can be configured to access a mediaprocessor such as references 106, 204, 206, 316, and 324 of FIGS. 1-3and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), anElectronic Programming Guide (EPG), VoD catalog, a personal catalog(such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored inthe STB, a personal computer or server in a user's home or office, andso on.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 500.Communication device 500 can be a representative portion of any of theaforementioned communication devices of FIGS. 1-3. The communicationdevice 504 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 502(herein transceiver 502), a user interface (UI) 504, a power supply 514,a location receiver 516, and a controller 506 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 502 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as a Bluetooth wireless accessprotocol, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) access protocol, a Digital EnhancedCordless Telecommunications (DECT) wireless access protocol, cellular,software defined radio (SDR) and/or WiMAX technologies, just to mentiona few. Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X,UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, and next generation technologiesas they arise.

The transceiver 502 can also support common wireline access technologiessuch as circuit-switched wireline access technologies, packet-switchedwireline access technologies, or combinations thereof. PSTN canrepresent one of the common circuit-switched wireline accesstechnologies. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and IP datacommunications can represent some of the commonly availablepacket-switched wireline access technologies. The transceiver 502 canalso be adapted to support IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) protocol forinterfacing to an IMS network that can combine PSTN and VoIPcommunication technologies.

The UI 504 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 508 and anavigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, and/ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device500. The keypad 508 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 500 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wiring interface (such as a USB) or a wirelessinterface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 508 can representa numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypadwith alphanumeric keys.

The UI 504 can further include a display 510 such as monochrome or colorLCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) orother suitable display technology for conveying images to the end userof the communication device 500. In an embodiment where the display 510is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 508 can be presentedby way of the display. The UI 504 can also include an audio system 512that utilizes common audio technology for conveying low volume audio(such as audio heard only in the proximity of a human ear) and highvolume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audiosystem 512 can further include a microphone for receiving audiblesignals of an end user.

The power supply 514 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 500 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. In one embodiment, the device 500can be a battery-operated mobile multi-mode device. The locationreceiver 516 utilize common location technology such as a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver for identifying a location of thecommunication device 100, thereby facilitating common location servicessuch as navigation. The controller 506 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor and/or digital signal processor(DSP) with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAMor other storage technologies.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 600 fordelivering media content. Communication system 600 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with communication systems 100-300 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of said communication systems.

System 600 can include a network 605 for delivery of the media contentbetween the provider equipment and the customer's equipment, such as anSTB 606 having a display device 608, and a mobile and/or handheldcommunication device 616. The particular mode and/or protocol ofcommunication for the STB 606 and/or the device 616 can vary, and caninclude wired and/or wireless modes and/or protocols. A number ofnetwork devices, including DSLAM's, service routers and Ethernetswitches, can be utilized for transporting the signals along and fromthe network 605. The network 605 can utilize a number of connectionstructures for providing a communication link between the networkdevices and the STB 606 and/or the device 616, including twisted pairlines, fiber lines and/or wireless connections.

System 600 can include a server 630 having a memory, such as a database,that can be used for establishing and maintaining user storage 635. Theuser storage 635 can be associated with one or more users of the network605, the STB 606 and/or the mobile device 616, including individualusers and/or groups of users. The user storage 635 can store, orotherwise provide access to, user information, including devicepreferences, format capabilities, service plans, presence information,and so forth. In one embodiment, the user storage 635 can include mediacontent that has been recorded pursuant to instructions from the mobiledevice 616 and/or some other communication device.

In one embodiment, the user storage 635 can include a user profile 640that includes some or all of the information described above, as well asother information such as identification information associated with theuser and/or the user's communication devices, and user preferences suchas through monitored behavior and history of the user or userpre-selections. In another embodiment, the user profile 640 can beimported in whole or in part from other sources, such as the STB 606 ora third party network, including previous service providers. In oneembodiment, the user storage 635 can be a group storage for multipleusers, such as users associated with a residence or a business entity,which has a plurality of individual user profiles 640 associated witheach of the users. While system 600 depicts the server 630 storing theuser storage 635 in a centralized fashion, it should be understood byone of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosurecontemplates other configurations, including distributed configurations,being applied to system 600.

The server 630 can include or have access to a recorder servlet 650 forreceiving requests for recording of media content from the mobile device616. The servlet 650 can be in communication with other devices in theprovider network for recording of the desired media content. In oneembodiment, the server 630 can include a Mobile TV adapter 655 foradapting the format of the media content to a format deliverable to themobile device 616. The adapter 655 can apply various encoding techniquesto the media content. In one embodiment, the adapter 655 can provide forsignal processing to be applied to the media content, such as accordingto an Advanced Television Systems Committee standard (ATSC) includingthe mobile handheld standard, so that code is embedded in the multiplexwhich develops lower profile versions of the main profile. In anotherembodiment, the standard can be based on or related to the ATSCRecommended Practice: E-VSB Implementation Guidelines, document ATSCA/112, which is the ATSC standards related to E-VSB (Enhanced VestigialSideband modulation), and which provides guidelines to parameterselection and implementation scenarios; the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. The E-VSB data can be received by theserver 630 and/or generated by the server.

For example, media content formatted using E-VSB or othermulti-profiling formats with main and lower profile versions can beretrieved by the server 630, such as through transmission over the STLpath to the SHS and to the VHO. The server 630 can then provide theviewers of the mobile device 616 with all or some of the video versionsduring playback of the recorded media content, including one or more ofthe lower profile versions of the media content which have a lowerresolution but higher error correction data in order to maintain thelink. In one embodiment, select one(s) of the profile versions can beprovided when there is a fault or potential fault determined during theplayback. The fault monitoring can be performed by the server 630 orsome other monitoring device, and/or can be performed by the mobilecommunication device 616. The fault or potential fault determination canbe transmitted to the server 630 for adjusting the profiles to betransmitted. The particular error correction technique utilized for thevarious profiles can vary and can include FEC, such as block coding,convolution coding, concatenate coding, turbo coding and so forth.

In one embodiment, the server 630 can utilize the user information inthe user storage 635 to determine the fault or potential fault, and canalso utilize this user information for determining which, if any, lowerprofile versions of the media content are to be provided to the mobiledevice 616 during playback of the recorded media content. The presentdisclosure contemplates transmitting a single profile version of themedia content to the mobile device that is selected from the pluralityof profile versions in the E-VSB based on the user informationassociated with the mobile device 616. The present disclosure alsocontemplates multiple profile versions being received by the mobiledevice 616.

In one embodiment, the server 630 can provide settings and other userinformation associated with user storage 635 and user profile 640 to oneor more communication devices associated with the user including mobiledevice 616 and STB 606, such as to facilitate sharing of the mediacontent. In another embodiment, recorded or DVR content can be stored inthe server 630 and/or the server can provide pointers to selectedcontent which can be sent to a requesting communication device of theuser by a separate DVR service. The exemplary embodiments can beperformed by a single service provider or vendor, as well as through useof different service providers or vendors, including home and mobileservices being different vendors where the service provider associatedwith the server 630 provides an agreed service coordination of benefitto the user. In one embodiment, the server 630 can be centered in theInternet, and the mobile and home service provider networks can contactthe server through the Internet.

In one embodiment, recorded media content, including scheduledprogramming and/or rented media content such as VoD that are selectedand/or recorded by the mobile device 616 can be made available to othercommunication devices associated with the user, such as the set top box606. In one embodiment, the mobile user can watch the same media contentthat is being watched by another communication device, such as the settop box 606 at home.

In one embodiment, the mobile device 616 can be wirelessly incommunication with the STB 606 through a first mode of communication,such as through a short-distance mode including WiMAX or WiFi. Themobile device 616 can then transmit the media content to the STB 606directly without using the server 630. The mobile device 616 can be asingle-mode or a multi-mode communication device.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative method 700 operating in portions ofcommunication systems 100-300 and 600, including using server 630 ofsystem 600. Method 700 can begin with step 702 in which the server 630can monitor for a request for recording of media content by the mobiledevice 616. The particular monitoring technique can vary and can includethe mobile device transmitting the recording request directly to theserver 630. The media content to be recorded can be regularly scheduledprogramming VoD, and so forth. The recording request can be immediaterecording or a future recording.

In step 704, the server 630 can obtain the media content that is to berecorded. The server 630 can access the media content for recordingusing various techniques. For example, a servlet 650 can be utilized atthe server 630 so that states are preserved across multiple servertransactions during the content retrieval. Non-Java dynamic Web contenttechnologies can also be utilized for recording of the media content,such as PHP, CGI, and ASP.NET. In step 706, the server 606 can accessthe user information to determine if the media content to be recorded isin a desired format or is otherwise pursuant to desired parametersassociated with the mobile device 616. For instance, the media contentcan be adjusted to a preferred format through transcoding by the server630. The preferred format as indicated by the user information can befrom a user profile, monitored behavior or the mobile device or othercommunication devices associated with the user, and/or inputtedpreferences, such as preferences provided by the user at the time ofgenerating the recording request.

In step 708 if adjustment of the media content is not desired then theserver 630 can return to monitoring for recording requests by the mobiledevice 616. If on the other hand, the media content is to be adjustedthen the server 630, based on the user information, can performtranscoding, encoding or other format adjustment techniques to the mediacontent in step 710. In one embodiment, the format adjustment can bebased on the use of multiple profile versions of the media content as instep 712. For example, the server 630 can receive the data streamcontaining the main and secondary profiles, remove select profileversions, and transmit those select profile versions during playback bythe mobile device 616. The profile versions can be re-multiplexed by theserver 630 and stored in the user storage awaiting the request forplayback. In another embodiment, the media content can be adjusted intothe main and secondary profiles by the server 630 from a single versionretrieved by the server. The amount of error correction and thus theresolution of the profile versions can be determined based on the userinformation and preferences included therein.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, the server 630 canrecord the media content and adjust its format based on user informationassociated with a number of communication devices of the user. The usercan then playback the media content on the mobile device using a firstformat of the content and playback the media content on another device,such as an STB, using a second format. In one embodiment, the playbackon the other devices, including the STB, can be controlled by the mobiledevice 616.

Server 730 also provides for selective application of adjustments to theapplicable other communication devices. For instance, an increase inresolution for the mobile device 616 may not be practical during certainenvironmental conditions. The server 630 can selectively provide for thecoordination of adjustments based on a number of factors, includingpreferences in the user storage 635, information provided directly bythe user, and/or other data, including parameters associated with thedelivery of content that may effect the content. In one embodiment, thecontent format adjustment can be made dependent on a current capabilityof the mobile device to provide the content using the particular desiredformat. The capability can be determined in part on conditionsassociated with the network 605 or delivery of the content, such aswhere a device is in jeopardy of losing signal lock and the coordinationrequires increasing resolution. In this example, the server 630 and/orother components of the system, including the receiving communicationdevice, can determine that adjusting the setting is not desired.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation of a machinein the form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), amain memory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with eachother via a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)), a flat panel,a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system800 may include an input device 812 (such as a keyboard), a cursorcontrol device 814 (such as a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signalgeneration device 818 (such as a speaker or remote control) and anetwork interface device 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a computer-readable medium 822 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (such as software 824)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 824may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802during execution thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804and the processor 802 also may constitute computer-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 824, or that which receives and executes instructions 824from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 826 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 826 using the instructions 824. Theinstructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a network826 via the network interface device 820.

While the computer-readable medium 822 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (such as acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any mediumthat is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructionsfor execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform anyone or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (such as TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, etc.)represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication device, comprising: adisplay device; a processing system including a processor; and a memorythat stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operationscomprising: wirelessly transmitting to a server a recording request forrecording media content; wirelessly transmitting to the server aplayback request associated with the recorded media content; wirelesslyreceiving from the server, responsive to the transmitting of theplayback request, the recorded media content; determining whether thereis a fault associated with the receiving of the recorded media content,resulting in a determination; wirelessly transmitting to the server anindication of the determination; wirelessly receiving from the serveradjusted media content, wherein the adjusted media content has a formatadjusted based on the determination, wherein the adjusted media contentcomprises one of a first version of the recorded media content and asecond version of the recorded media content, and wherein the firstversion has more error correction data than the second version; andpresenting the adjusted media content on the display device; wherein thefirst version is received subsequent to the second version having beenreceived in order to maintain a link with the server.
 2. The mobilecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the first version has a lowerresolution than a resolution of the second version.
 3. The mobilecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the wirelessly transmitting ofthe recording request, the playback request, the indication of thedetermination, or a combination thereof, is performed using a cellulartechnology.
 4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein thewirelessly transmitting of the recording request, the playback request,the indication of the determination, or a combination thereof, isperformed using a WiFi protocol.
 5. The mobile communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the error correction data comprises block coding,convolution coding, concatenate coding, turbo coding or any combinationthereof.
 6. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein thewirelessly receiving of the recorded media content, the adjusted mediacontent, or a combination thereof, is performed using a cellulartechnology.
 7. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein thewirelessly receiving of the recorded media content, the adjusted mediacontent, or a combination thereof, is performed using a WiFi protocol.8. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a mobile communicationdevice including a processor and a display device, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: wirelesslytransmitting to a server a recording request for recording mediacontent; wirelessly transmitting to the server a playback requestassociated with the recorded media content; wirelessly receiving fromthe server, responsive to the transmitting of the playback request, therecorded media content; determining whether there is a fault associatedwith the receiving of the recorded media content, resulting in adetermination; wirelessly transmitting to the server an indication ofthe determination; wirelessly receiving from the server adjusted mediacontent, wherein the adjusted media content has a format adjusted basedon the determination, wherein the adjusted media content comprises oneof a first version of the recorded media content and a second version ofthe recorded media content, and wherein the first version has more errorcorrection data than the second version; and presenting the adjustedmedia content on the display device; wherein the first version isreceived subsequent to the second version having been received in orderto maintain a link with the server.
 9. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first versionhas a lower resolution than a resolution of the second version.
 10. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein thewirelessly transmitting of the recording request, the playback request,the indication of the determination, or a combination thereof: isperformed using a cellular technology.
 11. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the wirelesslytransmitting of the recording request, the playback request, theindication of the determination, or a combination thereof, is performedusing a WiFi protocol.
 12. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein the error correction data comprises blockcoding, convolution coding, concatenate coding, turbo coding or anycombination thereof.
 13. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein the wirelessly receiving of the recordedmedia content, the adjusted media content, or a combination thereof, isperformed using a cellular technology.
 14. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the wirelesslyreceiving of the recorded media content, the adjusted media content, ora combination thereof, is performed using a WiFi protocol.
 15. A methodcomprising: wirelessly transmitting, by a mobile communication deviceincluding a processor and a display device, to a server a recordingrequest for recording media content; wirelessly transmitting, by themobile communication device, to the server a playback request associatedwith the recorded media content; wirelessly receiving, by the mobilecommunication device, from the server, responsive to the transmitting ofthe playback request, the recorded media content; determining, by themobile communication device, whether there is a fault associated withthe receiving of the recorded media content, resulting in adetermination; wirelessly transmitting, by the mobile communicationdevice, to the server an indication of the determination; wirelesslyreceiving, by the mobile communication device, from the server adjustedmedia content, wherein the adjusted media content has a format adjustedbased on the determination, wherein the adjusted media content comprisesone of a first version of the recorded media content and a secondversion of the recorded media content, and wherein the first version hasmore error correction data than the second version; and presenting, bythe mobile communication device, the adjusted media content on thedisplay device; wherein the first version is received subsequent to thesecond version having been received in order to maintain a link with theserver.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first version has alower resolution than a resolution of the second version.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein the wirelessly transmitting of the recordingrequest, the playback request, the indication of the determination, or acombination thereof, is performed using a cellular technology.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the wirelessly transmitting of the recordingrequest, the playback request, the indication of the determination, or acombination thereof, is performed using a WiFi protocol.
 19. The methodof claim 15, wherein the wirelessly receiving of the recorded mediacontent, the adjusted media content, or a combination thereof, isperformed using a cellular technology.
 20. The method of claim 15,wherein the wirelessly receiving of the recorded media content, theadjusted media content, or a combination thereof, is performed using aWiFi protocol.